Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Author Amrit Wilson's Plea Against OCI Card Cancellation

UK based writer and journalist Amrit Wilson has moved the Delhi High Court against cancellation of her OCI card and sought restoration of the same.

Wilson has sought quashing of the order passed by the High Commission of India in London on March 17. It is her case that the cancellation of her OCI card is ex-facie illegal and arbitrary.

The Indian High Commission had issued a show cause notice to Wilson in November last year accusing her of being “engaged in detrimental propaganda against the Indian government” and being involved in “multiple anti–India activities” which pose a threat to the sovereignty and integrity of India and the interest of general public.

It is her case that the show cause notice is arbitrary since it does not provide any material particulars or a summary of specific reasons to substantiate the allegations levelled against her.

She is also aggrieved by non-adjudication of the revision application moved by her on April 17 pending before the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, despite repeated requests.

Justice Prathiba M Singh heard the matter today and sought stand of the Union Government regarding the reasons behind cancellation of Wilson’s OCI card. The matter will now be heard on August 07.

In her plea moved through Advocates Vrinda Bhandari, Pragya Barsaiyan and Madhav Aggarwal, Wilson has submitted that she has not been provided with any material particulars by the authorities till date to substantiate the allegations levelled against her.

Senior Advocate Rebecca M. John appeared for Wilson.

“This has prevented her from building a defense and presenting her case qua the specific allegations in the Show Cause notice, which ultimately has resulted in the arbitrary cancellation of her OCI Card,” the plea states.

It has been further contended that as a writer and journalist, it is Wilson’s duty to comment on the actions of various governments, including the Indian Government, on the issues concerning human rights. 

Such commentary or criticism is within the ambit of her fundamental rights and the right of the Indian public to receive information, the plea adds.

“Due to the cancellation of the Petitioner’s OCI card, she is facing grave hardships and mental agony, as the cancellation has forced her to permanently shut ties with the country of her origin. Moreover, the cancellation of the Petitioner’s OCI card has also prevented her from visiting India for a long stretch, where she was to undertake a research project to collate the annotated collection of her mother’s writings as a journalist regarding the various facets of Indian society, and for which, she was already in advance talks with publishers,” the petition states.

Title: Amrit Wilson v. Union of India & Ors.